Taking the Stage as the First Black-and- White Jazz Band in History
by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illus. by James Ransome.
Benny Goodman was born in Chicago to Jewish immigrants .He studied clarinet and listened to the great jazz musicians of the day. In high school, he was performing throughout he city. Teddy Wison studied piano at Tuskegee and Talladega College. He moved to Chicago in 1931. Teddy and Benny met at a party and were encouraged to play together--a magical duo!
Trace the lives of these jazz legends from segregated childhoods to America’s first integrated band. Rhythmic, jazz inspired text and vibrant, sweeping illustrations give kids a visceral feel of the swing era, along with notes on other jazz musicians who, like Benny & Teddy, made America dance. “It wasn’t soft, It wasn’t black, it wasn’t sweet, it wasn’t white… It was swing.”
Also includes brief bios of each, a time Line, and a short Who's Who in Jazz section. Hardback
